Central & South America Holidays

LAKE DISTRICT
Pucón
Set on the shore of picturesque Lake Villarrica, Pucón is undoubtedly the
centre of activity and adventure in th Chilean Lake District. Surrounded by
dense forests, volcanoes, rivers, waterfalls and volcanic hot springs, there are
excellent hotels and lodges from which to base your exploration. Visitors can
trek on the Villarrica volcano, visit local Mapuche people and hike in several
national parks and nature reserves, including forests of Monkey Puzzle trees.
CHILE
4 days • 3 nights
Antumalal First
Vira Vira Deluxe
Day 1 Arrival at Temuco airport and
transfer to your hotel in Pucon, staying for
3 nights. Afternoon to enjoy the lake views
or stroll through the town.
Day 2 Full day excursion to
Huerquehue National Park, 1 hour from
Pucon, to hike in the Monkey Puzzle Tree
forest. Beautiful lagoons surrounded by
mountains are home to abundant bird life.
Return to Pucon in the afternoon. (B,L)
Built in striking Bauhaus style from
wood and stone, Antumalal has floor
to ceiling windows to make the most
of the stunning views. Rooms are
warm, cosy and characterful. Located
on the shore of the lake and with
pleasant gardens, it is outside the
town but within walking distance.
Casa Establo Tourist
Vira Vira is a modern hacienda with
a huge expanse of parkland along the
shores of a mountain river running to
the lake. The main building contains
the restaurant, lounge and the rustic,
lxurious suites upstairs, while villas
overlook the river, each with private
hot tub. The hacienda is decorated
with local materials and designs
throughout, giving a sense of place.
They operate their own organic farm,
growing many of their vegetables and
producing their own milk and cheese.
Accommodation includes all meals
and a variety of exclusive excursions
with the lodge’s guides, including
horse riding and hikes in the forest.
Rides over the volcano in the
hacienda’s helicopter are extra.
Day 3 Half day excursion to visit the
lava caves under Villarrica Volcano, the
world’s only visible caves within an
active volcano. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 4 Transfer to Temuco airport for
departure flight back to Santiago. (B)
A traditional wooden building, 5
miles outside Pucon but overlooking
the lake, Casa Establo has 10 warm
and comfortable rooms decorated
with local textiles. There is a café
serving light items like soups and
sandwiches, a bar, hot tub and pool
to relax at the end of the day.
Puerto Varas
Estancia 440 Tourist
The family-run Estancia 440 is a cosy
boutique-style guesthouse, close to
the centre of Puerto Varas. Set in an
original German wooden house built
in the 1940s, the hotel has 7 rooms,
tastefully decorated with local
artwork and modern touches. There
is no restaurant but they serve an
ample homemade breakfast, and
there are plenty of places to dine
within walking distance.
Located on the shore of Lake
Llanquihue, within easy reach of
Puerto Montt airport, Puerto Varas
has a range of good quality hotels,
restaurants, and a family
atmosphere. Walk along the lake
shore with views of snowcapped
Osorno Volcano, visit the Petrohue
falls or the remote, little-visited
Alerce Andino National Park.
Cumbres First
Built on a small hill with a perfect
view over the lake, Cumbres hotel is
comfortable and contemporary, with
all mod-cons, indoor pool and spa.
All 62 rooms have large windows
looking out over the lake towards
Osorno Volcano. The hotel is within
easy walking distance from the centre
of town, ideal for exploring or going
out for dinner at a local restaurant.
Chiloé
Chiloé is a large island just South of
Puerto Montt. Cut off from the
mainland, it has its own unique
character, with colourful houses on
stilts along the shore, UNESCO listed
wooden churches, and abundant
marine birds and mammals. Chiloé
can be visited on a daytrip, lodges for
overnight stays, and the Skorpios II
cruise also visits, see p.90 for details.
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